Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess, and Queen of the Sea

Yemaya, queen of the sea, first emerged in Yorubaland (now in modern Nigeria). A primordial deity, considered the mother of all, she is perceived by some to be at the root of numerous ancient goddesses, including Isis. During the Middle Passage, Yemaya accompanied her enslaved devotees to the Western Hemisphere, where her eventual association with the Virgin Mary helped her veneration take root and flourish. No longer a local water spirit, she is among the most beloved and prominent spirits...